How to help people of Sandy Hook and Newtown

As the nation mourns the death of 20 children and the six educators who died protecting them, Americans are looking for ways to do something for the small towns of Sandy Hook and Newtown, Conn., the victims and their families. Here are a few ways to help:

- An online national sympathy card on Causes.com got more than 1 million signers in less than 48 hours. The card, which will be delivered to community officials with all the signatures, says in part, "We cannot begin to comprehend the depth of your sadness and grief. Please know that we care deeply for you and we join with you in sharing your sorrow and pain. We only hope that you receive some measure of comfort in the knowledge that we, and an entire nation, stand with you during this extraordinarily difficult time." To sign: http://www.causes.com/actions/1715318

- Those who wish to volunteer in Newtown as it recovers from the shootings can call (800) 203-1234, according to the Connecticut Department of Emergency Services and Public Protection.

- The United Way has started the Sandy Hook School Support Fund to provide help with funeral expenses, counseling and other services. Donations: Sandy Hook School Support Fund, c/o Newtown Savings Bank, 39 Main St., Newtown, Conn. 06470. More information: https://newtown.uwwesternct.org

- The Sandy Hook Elementary School Victims Relief Fund has raised more than $73,750. The school PTA will administer the fund, which will provide counseling to survivors, pay for funeral expenses for victims, create a scholarship fund for the school's students and fund a memorial. Donations: Newtown Memorial Fund, P.O. Box 596, Botsford, Conn. 06404 or http://newtownmemorialfund.org

- The family of Olivia Engel, 6, created the Friends of the Engel Family Fund. On its Facebook page, a relative says the fund will be used to help the family financially. The family plans to meet this week to decide how to use the donations for a tribute or effort in Olivia's name that will have a more lasting impact. More information: https://www.facebook.com/FriendsOfTheEngelFamilyFund

- The family of Emilie Parker, 6, created the Emilie Parker Fund to raise donations to help her parents, Robbie and Alissa, take time off from work to be with their two younger children, and to help with funeral expenses and airfare to the family's home state of Utah, where they will have Emilie's funeral and bury her. More information: https://www.facebook.com/EmilieParkerFund?ref=ts&amp;fref+ts